Hatim Essaouabi Rangers transfer question 'asked' as Hamza Igamane's old team-mate 'impresses' Ibrox scouts
Rangers have reportedly enquired about Moroccan defender Hatim Essaouabi - but with a view to signing him at the start of next season.
The 24-year-old plays for FAR Rabat, the same club where the Ibrox club recruited Hamza Igamane from and the striker has shown early signs of being a shrewd acquisition. Essaouabi came through the FAR Rabat youth ranks and, apart from a loan spell at TAS Casablanca two years ago, has spent his career at the club. He was also represented Morocco at youth international level. Reports in his homeland say Rangers “have recently contacted AS FAR to enquire about Hatim Essaouabi”, adding that the Ibrox side “impressed by his performances, is seriously considering recruiting him during the next summer transfer window.”
Central defence is an area Philippe Clement is likely to look to strengthen. They allowed both Connor Goldson and Ben Davies, albeit on loan to Birmingham City, to leave this season and Robin Propper has taken time to adjust since arriving from the Netherlands.
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Leon Balogun was handed a one-year extension but the Nigeria international will be 37 in the summer and Essaouabi fits the age profile and with the player’s market value at around £800,000 would also represent the type of value signing Rangers are looking to make.
